Interlocking switch device



INVENTOR CLYDE C'. FAR MER BY%WW 'ATTORNEY Patented Feb. 2, 1926.

UNITED STATES 1,571,191 Parser cries.

CLYDE C. FARMER, OF PITTSBURGE, PENNSYLVANA, ASSIGNOR TO THE WESTING- HOUSE AIR BRAKE COMPANY, F OF PENNSYLVANIA.

LIVERDNG', PENNSYLVANIA, A CORPRATION INTERLOCKNG SWITCH DEVCE.

Application filed June 22, 1923. Serial No. 647,693.

To all whom it may concern:

Be it known that l, @Lynn C. FARMER, a citizen of the United States, residing at littsburgh, in the county of Allegheny and State of Pennsylvania, have invented new and useful Improven'ients in Interlocking Switch Devices, of which the following is a saecilication.

rllhis invention relates to mechanism for interlocking the operation of electric train line switches with operation of the usual cut-out cocks which are en'iployed to open and close communication through fluid pressure train lines when cars are coupled c3: uncoupled.

The principal object of my invention is to provide means by which, when cars are to `he uncoupled, the electric switches must be manually shifted to a position for opening the electric train line circuits, before the cutout cocks can be manually shifted to the closed position and when cars are to be coupled up, the cut-out cocks must be shifted to the open position, before the switches can be shifted to the cut-in position, in which the electric train line circuits are completed through the couplers.

The purpose of interlocking the operation of the cut-out cocks and electric train line switches is to ensure that there will he no live electric contacts in the electric couplers at the uncoupled ends of the cars when the cut-out cocks are closed. If cars are uncou- `pled without first closing the cut-out cocks, the discharge of fluid from the open ends of the fluid pressure train line when cars are uncoupled will warn the operator that the cut-out cocks are open and then before the cut-out cocks can be closed the electric switch operating mechanism must be operated to open the electric train line circuits.

My improved interlock mechanism also permits the operation of the electric train line switches to cut olf the electric current from a section of the train, without closing the cut-out cocks, so that repairs or inspection may be effected with respect to the electric apparatus in the cut-out section without interfering with the control of the fluid pressure brakes throughout the train.

In the accompanying` drawing; nig. 1 is an elevational view of an interlock mechaiiism embodying my invention; Fig. 2 a plan view thereof; Fig. 3 a distorted diagrammatic view of the interlock mechanism, illustrating' how the mechanism operates to interlock the operation of the electric switches and the cut-out cocks; Fig. 4f a side view of the switch operating lever; and Fig. 5 a face view of the switch operating lever.

As shown in the drawing, the reference numeral 1 indicates an electric switch portion containing electric switches for opening and closing electric train line circuits. A switch operating lever 2 is provided and when the lever 2 is in the position shown in 1ig. 1, the electric switches are in position opening the electric circuits. lili/hen the lever 2 is turned counter clock-wise, the switches arc operated to close the electric circuits.

The reference numerals 3 and l indicate cut-out cocks for opening and closing fluid pressure train pipes at the ends of the cars when cars are coupled or uncoupled. The cock 3 is operable to open and close communication through the corresponding train pipe by means of a lever 5 and the cock l by means of a lever G. fin operating rod 7, extending to one side of the car is pivotally connected to lever 5 and an operating rod S, extending to the opposite side of tlie car is pivot-ally connected to lever 6. A link 9 pivotally connects the levers 5 and 6, so that both cocks may be manipulated from either side of the car.

At one end of the switch operating lever 2 is pivotally connected an operating rod 10 which extends to one side of the car, and an operating rod 11, extending to the opposite side of the car is pivotally connected to the opposite end of lever 2. Underneath the lever 2, a slide bar 12 is mounted in suitable guide members provided on the switch port-ion 1, so as to slide laterally, and one end of said bar is connected by a link 13 to the link 9 and the lever (i, Iso that whenever the cocks 3 and 4l are operated by the movement of either operating rod 7 and S, the slide bar 12 must also be shifted.

The lever 2 is provided with a boss having an inclined face 111, so disposed as to engage the upper face of slide bar 12 when the lever 2 is in the switch open position, as shown in Fig. 1. The slide bar 12 is provided with a recess 15, so disposed that when the slide bar is in the position to which it is moved when the. cnt-outcocks are in open position,

and the 'switch lever 2 is in position for closing the electric train line circuits, the inclined tace 14. of the lever will occupy a position within the recess 15 and adjacent to the inclined end wall 1G of the recess.

In operation, and referring to Fig. 3 which illustrates the operation somewhat more clearly than Figs. 1 and 2, showing' the act-ual disposition of the parts, the full line position shows they switch lever 2 in its open position and the cut-out cocks 3 and 4 in their closed positions. It will be evident that due to the, engagement. ot' the incline/c face let ot lever 2 with the upper :tace ol slide bar 12, the lever 2 cannot be shifted by manipulation et the operating rods 1t) and 11. In order to permit the operation ot' lever 2, either the operating rod 7 or S must be shifted So as to turn the cocks 3 and 1 to their open position, as shown in the dotted lines in Fig. 3. In the dotted line position, it will be noted that. slide bar 12 has been shifted to the right, so that the recess 15 therein is disposed below the lever 2. In this position, the lever 2 may be turned to it-s switch clo'sing position, as shown in dotted lines.

ln this position ol switch lever 2, it will be noted that the inclined face 14. ou the boss on lever 2 extends into the recess and is positioned adjacentto the. inclined end wall 16 oit the recess, so that the inclined face 14 now opposes movement ot slide bar 12 to the lett and consequently the movement of the cut-out cocks 3 and 4 from their open positions is opposed to their closed positions unless the switch level` 2 is firstI shifted to its switch open position.

then the parts are in the dotted line positions, shown in Fig. 3, with the cut-out cocks open and the switches closed, it will be noted that the switch lever 2 may be turned to its switch open position while the cut-out cocks are lett in their open positions, so that rcpairs or inspection of the electric system of a section of a train may be ell'ected while still maintaining communication through the cut-out cocks and consequently, the cutout cocks being left open, the fluid pressure brakes may be operated in the usual manner.

Having now described my invention, what I claim as new and desire to secure by Letters Patent, is:

1. The combination with a switch for controlling an electric train line circuit, a casing enclosing said switch, a cock `tor controlling communication through a lluid pressure train pipe, an interlock member slidably mounted on said casing, a lever tor operatingl said cock, a link pivotally connecting said lever with said member, and a lever tor operating said switch and having an inclined 'tace for engaging said member.

The combination with a switch for controlling an electric train. line circuit, a casing enclosing said switch, ai cock for controlling communication through a lluid pressure train pipe, an interlock member slidably mounted on said casing, and provided with a recess, a lever for operating said cock, a link pivotally connect-ing said lever with said member, and a lever for operating said switch and having' an inclined face for engaging said member in one position and ilor engaging in said recess in another position.

Il. The combination with a switch for con trolling an electric train line circuit, a casing enclosing said switch, a cock for controlling communication through a lluid pressure train pipe, an interlock member slidably mounted on said casing and provided with a recess, a lever lior opera-ting said cock, a link pivotally connecting said lever with said member, and a lever for operating' said switch and having an inclined taee for engaging said member in one position whereby said member prevents movement ot said switch lever and for also engaging said member in another position, to oppose movement ot said member.

In testimony whereof I have hereunto set my hand.

CLYDE C. FARMER. 

